Agenda and minutes

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee - Monday 27 February 2017 7.00 pm

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02C - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions

Contact: Victoria Foreman Phone: 020 7525 5485 Email:  victoria.foreman@southwark.gov.uk  Email: victoria.foreman@southwark.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors James Barber, Nick Dolezal and Hamish McCallum. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Renata Hamvas.

2.

Confirmation of voting members

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    A representative of each political group will confirm the voting members of the committee.

    Minutes:

    Those members listed as present were confirmed as voting members for the meeting.

3.

Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent

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    In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear days of the meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were no late items of business.

4.

Disclosure of interests and dispensations

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    Members to declare any personal interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

5.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 16 November 2016.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair.

6.

Governance topic: Update on human resources and IT

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    The update on IT will be given verbally at the meeting.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The committee heard from Julie Foy, Head of Human Resources, and Emma Marinos, Director of Modernise. Members asked questions of the officers.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the progress in changes across the human resources and organisation transformation services, the workforce achievements since the last update in February 2016 and plans for the coming year, be noted.

     

    2.  That the update on IT given verbally at the meeting be noted, summarised in writing and circulated to members of the committee by officers.

     

    3.  That further information on management training, including the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) course being offered to managers be circulated to the committee by officers.

     

    4.  That representatives of the IT improvement board and the IT shared services board be invited to a future meeting of the committee.

     

     

7.

Progress report on the work of the internal audit and anti-fraud teams for the period 18 October to 31 January 2017

8.

Internal audit plan for 2017-18 and updated five year strategy from 2017-18 to 2021-22

9.

Annual report to the audit, governance and standards committee on the council's risk register

10.

Digital governance and engagement

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    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Officers presented the report. Members asked questions of the officers.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the work and governance structure of the Digital Governance and Engagement Project Group be noted.

     

    2.  That the link between the Digital Governance and Engagement Project Group and the council’s Digital Transformation Programme be noted.

     

    3.  That the identified work streams contained within the Digital Governance and Engagement Project be noted.

     

    4.  That a review of the member training budget to ensure the council receives best value and efficiencies in the delivery of member training be agreed.

     

    5.  That it be noted that Organisation Transformation will work with the group whips, Constitutional Team, Member Services and colleagues across the council to deliver an ongoing member development programme and induction following the 2018 elections, which will maximise digital technology to best meet the needs of members.

     

    6.  That costings for the production of paper agendas be provided to the committee, and at a future date to all members, in order to inform and encourage the take up of paperless working.

11.

Annual report on the work and performance of the audit, governance and standards committee in 2016-17

12.

Draft work programme for 2017-18

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    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Officers presented the report. Members asked questions of officers.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the work programme for 2017-18, as set out in Appendix 2, be agreed subject to the following amendments:

     

    ·  That a standing item be included on the work plan in order for the committee to monitor budget challenges as required, including processes and governance throughout 2017-18.

     

    ·  That the areas of children’s and adult’s services, particularly learning disability and transitional arrangements, be included on the work plan for 2017-18 as a future theme for governance review or further detailed audit work.

     

    ·  That the appointment of the members of the civic awards sub-committee by the audit, governance and standards committee be included in the work plan for 2017-18.

     

    ·  That continued monitoring of HR, IT and modernisation be included on the work plan for 2017-18.

13.

Grant Thornton audit plans for Southwark Council and Southwark pension fund audits 2016-17

14.

Grant Thornton - Informing the audit risk assessment for Southwark Council and Southwark pension fund

15.

Grant Thornton certification letter - year ended 31 March 2016

16.

Grant Thornton progress report and update year ended 31 March 2017

17.

Review of contract standing orders

18.

Report on the operational use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

19.

Report on the Office of Surveillance Commissioners inspection report

20.

Review of the complaints made under the Code of Conduct

21.

Update on Chief Audit Executive

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    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Officers introduced the report.

     

    Members asked that their thanks to the outgoing head of anti-fraud and internal audit for his contribution to the work of the committee be recorded, and that a further letter of thanks be sent on behalf of the committee.

     

    Members also asked that their thanks to the head of financial information and governance for all her support and work with the committee be recorded.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the change in the council’s Chief Audit Executive, effective 20 March 2017, be noted.

     

22.

Constitutional changes - Civic Awards sub-committee